CN102271994A - Improvements in or relating to floatation devices - Google Patents
Improvements in or relating to floatation devices Download PDFInfo
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- CN102271994A CN102271994A CN2009801536935A CN200980153693A CN102271994A CN 102271994 A CN102271994 A CN 102271994A CN 2009801536935 A CN2009801536935 A CN 2009801536935A CN 200980153693 A CN200980153693 A CN 200980153693A CN 102271994 A CN102271994 A CN 102271994A
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- cryogen
- buoyancy chamber
- shell
- flotation gear
- memory device
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B63—SHIPS OR OTHER WATERBORNE VESSELS; RELATED EQUIPMENT
- B63C—LAUNCHING, HAULING-OUT, OR DRY-DOCKING OF VESSELS; LIFE-SAVING IN WATER; EQUIPMENT FOR DWELLING OR WORKING UNDER WATER; MEANS FOR SALVAGING OR SEARCHING FOR UNDERWATER OBJECTS
- B63C7/00—Salvaging of disabled, stranded, or sunken vessels; Salvaging of vessel parts or furnishings, e.g. of safes; Salvaging of other underwater objects
- B63C7/06—Salvaging of disabled, stranded, or sunken vessels; Salvaging of vessel parts or furnishings, e.g. of safes; Salvaging of other underwater objects in which lifting action is generated in or adjacent to vessels or objects
- B63C7/10—Salvaging of disabled, stranded, or sunken vessels; Salvaging of vessel parts or furnishings, e.g. of safes; Salvaging of other underwater objects in which lifting action is generated in or adjacent to vessels or objects using inflatable floats external to vessels or objects
Abstract
A floatation device (100) is provided, comprising a buoyancy chamber (110); a cryogen reservoir (210); and a heating pipe (310) providing switchable fluid communication between the cryogen reservoir (210) and the buoyancy chamber (110). A method of raising an item from the seabed is also provided. The method comprising the steps of lowering a floatation device (100) to the seabed; attaching the floatation device (100) to the item to be raised; creating a supercritical fluid within a portion of the floatation device (100); and allowing the floatation device (100) and the item to rise to the surface using the buoyancy of the supercritical fluid to raise the item to the surface.
Description
Technical field
The present invention relates to flotation gear, especially with operation under the environments such as subsea device and promote the relevant flotation gear of device of object from sea bed.
Background technology
The ship that seagoing vessel and submarine etc. travel in the sea often is loaded with valuable goods, and generally himself is just very worthy.If this class ship is impaired at sea and sink to sea bed, people wish very much can be with goods or even ship recovery itself.Reclaim these objects and need the method that they is risen to the sea from sea bed.Object need be promoted or other situation of dropping to sea bed is included in sea bed and digs up mine from sea bed, and build or remove oil gas platform and appendage thereof.
An example of flotation gear is disclosed among the GB2435856 of British patent.This flotation gear comprises container, air chamber and the remote-control apparatus of splendid attire liquefied gas, this remote-control apparatus can be changed in off position and between the open mode, descend fluid not circulate between container and air chamber in off position, fluid can circulate between container and air chamber and air chamber is activated and in use utilize the evaporation of liquefied gas to inflate to air chamber under open mode.
GB2435856 also discloses and has utilized said apparatus to promote object or object is dropped to the method for sea bed from sea bed.The method may further comprise the steps: above-mentioned flotation gear is connected with this object, and remote-control apparatus is transformed into open mode from its closed condition, make the air chamber gas inflated that gas evaporation produced that is liquefied.
When the object that will fetch is in extreme condition following time, gas can not produce to flow in the described air chamber of above-mentioned GB2435856.When being in very opposite extreme situations following time, liquid nitrogen can not be evaporated to gas phase.The extreme condition here comprises the degree of depth that 300m is above, that is to say that pressure surpasses 32 crust and/or temperature is near or below 0 ℃.
Summary of the invention
Proposed a kind of improved flotation gear at present, it overcomes or has alleviated the above-mentioned shortcoming relevant with prior art greatly.
According to the present invention, a kind of flotation gear is provided, it comprises: buoyancy chamber, cryogen memory device provide the heating pipe of the fluid flow of available switch control between this cryogen memory device and buoyancy chamber.Cryogen provides splendid attire in use to change the cryogen memory device of the fluid of supercritical fluid into, makes this flotation gear to work under the extreme depths in 2000 meters zones.This buoyancy chamber, cryogen memory device and heating pipe can partly or entirely be included in the shell.
This shell can be provided with rib at contiguous cryogen memory device place.This rib can guarantee that this cryogen memory device is enough firm, with can be 2000 meters depth areas work, will reach about 200 crust at the pressure of this depth areas.
This device also can comprise microprocessor and a plurality of sensor.These sensors are used to detect the temperature and pressure at a plurality of key positions place in this device.Also provide some yaw detectors to monitor the stability of this device.All sensors are passed to microprocessor with data.Microprocessor can comprise the distinctive recognizer that is used for this device.
This shell can comprise exhaust portion, if the pressure imbalance between this device and the ambient ocean environment surpasses predetermined critical value, can enable this exhaust portion.Overbalance may make this install uncontrollably floating upward quickly to the sea, and this may allow the supercritical fluid rapid expansion that can change gas phase into and shell damaged.
Air chamber can be further divided into a plurality of compartments, and each compartment is provided with dividing plate.It is that system brings bigger redundancy that many less dividing plates are provided, even because there is one of them dividing plate to lose efficacy, the remainder of this device still can work on.
This buoyancy chamber, perhaps each compartment of buoyancy chamber can have at least one hole, to allow seawater to flow to and to flow out this buoyancy chamber.This (a bit) hole can cover with grid, in case marine life enter.
Each compartment of buoyancy chamber or buoyancy chamber can be provided with at least one one-way cock, flows out this device to allow overcritical cryogen or gas.Exhaust portion can be provided by several one-way cocks, and it allows fluid flow out in the time of becoming excessive at the difference of pressure of this device inside and surrounding environment.
Heating pipe can pass shell and arrange, makes at least a portion of heating pipe near the outside face of this shell.This can be by heating cryogen from seawater draw heat on every side.This has has just reduced or eliminated the demand of thermal source is set in this device.This device also can comprise a plurality of heat conductors of heat being introduced the cryogen memory device.These heat conductors can also be introduced this device to heat from seawater on every side, are directly to introduce in the cryogen memory device in the case.By the heat of heat conductor introducing cryogen memory device, will help cryogen to begin to change into supercritical fluid and the subsequent motion of this fluid in heating pipe.Heating pipe can carry out switch with valve.
In addition, according to the present invention, provide a kind of method from sea bed lifting object, the method may further comprise the steps: flotation gear is dropped to sea bed; This flotation gear is connected with the object that will promote; In the part of this flotation gear, produce supercritical fluid; Utilize the buoyancy of supercritical fluid to make this flotation gear and object rise to the sea, so that this object is promoted to the sea.Supercritical fluid can be overcritical nitrogen carbon dioxide, helium or hydrogen.
Description of drawings
We will only be illustrated the present invention with reference to accompanying drawing by example now.
Figure 1A and Figure 1B are by the schematic cross sectional views of formation according to the buoyancy chamber of the part of flotation gear of the present invention;
Fig. 2 A and Fig. 2 B are by the schematic cross sectional views of formation according to the cryogen memory device of the part of flotation gear of the present invention;
Fig. 3 A and Fig. 3 B are schematic side elevation and the cutaway views that is used for by the heating system of flotation gear of the present invention;
Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B are the cutaway views according to device of the present invention, and it is in the configuration of adopting when this device drops to sea bed;
Fig. 5 A and Fig. 5 B are the schematic cross sectional views of Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B shown device, and this is the configuration that low density flow is prepared to fill by the buoyancy chamber;
Fig. 6 A and Fig. 6 B are the schematic cross sectional views of Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B shown device, and this is the configuration that the buoyancy chamber is filling low density flow;
Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B are the schematic cross sectional views of Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B shown device, and this is the configuration of this device come-up;
Fig. 8 is the schematic cross sectional views according to another example of flotation gear of the present invention;
Fig. 9 is the schematic cross sectional views according to another example of flotation gear of the present invention.
The specific embodiment
These accompanying drawings all are schematically, and each constituent elements not drawn on scale.Feature in each example can make up, and in whole specification sheets for similar element, use similar Reference numeral.For simplicity's sake, be not in all each figure, all to show the element that all occurs.
In the example shown in each figure of map title tail tag band A, all these single piece all are installed in the osed top shell 112.Though this device 100 is to be drawn as buoyancy chamber 110 vertically to be positioned on the cryogen memory device 210, owing to have closure 112, this device can be arranged to allow buoyancy chamber's 110 horizontal positioned equally.
This shell 112 comprises the elongated center portion 114 with round section, and it is between two domed ends 115,116.Shell 112 surrounds some parts of buoyancy chamber 110, cryogen memory device 210, heating system 302 and control system 400.Shell 112 provides protective action, and prevents to produce undesirable mutual action between a plurality of elements, and mutual action may not take place when all elements are not included in the single parts entirely.
Shell 112 can be used as single-piece member and forms, and perhaps can be to be defined by the outside face part of buoyancy chamber 110 and cryogen memory device 210.For example, in Fig. 4 A, this shell is made of the domed ends 115 of buoyancy chamber 110 and elongated center portion 114 and part cryogen memory device 210.Provide the annular outer cover material that each part mentioned above is connected together in addition.Shell 112 can be made with plastics (GRP), aluminium or carbon composite that glass fibre is strengthened.If employing aluminium can be made several with shell 112 so, be fixed together with the mode that is tightly connected then.Shell 112 should bear between shell 112 inside and the surrounding environment difference of pressures of 2 crust to 3 crust.If the difference of pressure that installs between inside and outside surpasses about 3 crust, then will before damaging, cause the change that makes equalization of pressure.For example, can open valve makes this install 100 inside and outside equalize pressure differences.
In the example shown in Fig. 4 A, shell 112 is being strengthened section 118 near being provided with near the cryogen memory device 210.This strengthen section 118 can make this device 100 can bear 2000 meters degree of depth and so the extreme condition of 200 bar pressures under operation pressure.This strengthens section 118 can be by making with the identical or different material of shell 112.
Shell 112 is provided with at least one fixed mechanism 130, and it helps this device 100 is connected to will be from the object of sea bed lifting.This fixed mechanism 130 can be to be connected to two groups of parallel protrusions that will be raised object.This fixed mechanism 130 can be directly connected on the object that will promote, and perhaps for example passes one section wirerope realization connection of the eyelet in the fixed mechanism 130 via middleware.
The work orientation of this device 100 of the structures shape of fixed mechanism 130.In the example shown in Figure 1A to Fig. 7 A, be that two groups of fixed mechanisms 130 are provided in the outside of shell 112.If these fixed mechanisms are to be connected to the object that will promote by the configuration that separates along level, when device 100 is connected with the object that will promote, the major axis of this device 100 will be in the horizontal surface substantially so.Otherwise if these fixed mechanisms are to be connected to this object by the configuration that vertically separates, this device will be worked under the upright configuration shown in Figure 1A to Fig. 7 A so.
Shell 112 also is provided with at least one hanger 140, and it can allow this device keep fastening on the ship on the water surface in the whole process that descends and float.Perhaps, this hanger 140 can only be used for helping this device 100 is hung in the water before using, and/or will install from water after use and hang out, and in this case, is not tied down during these device 100 uses.If a hanger 140 only is set, then it is arranged in the top of the hemisphere portion 116 of shell 112.In some examples of diagram, shown hanger is setovered.If a hanger is setovered, it generally is to be used with another hanger (not shown) at least.
In the example of tail tag with the B ending of figure, the buoyancy chamber is the form of the pneumatic float 122 that opens wide the bottom surface, promptly at least in the unlimited bell chamber of its base section.Bottom with dashed lines 124 expressions of this pneumatic float.Because 122 pairs of surrounding environments of this pneumatic float open wide, thereby do not require that the material that is used for making it can bear very big difference of pressure.Therefore, it can adopt the material of part softness to make.According to the material and the size of required pneumatic float 122, this pneumatic float can not be belt-shaped, but spherical or other shape.Pneumatic float 122 can be provided with and similar fixed mechanism 130 and the hanger 140 shown in top Figure 1A to Fig. 7 A.
In order to increase the stability of pneumatic float 122, can also be provided with flange 145 in pneumatic float 122 bottoms.If this pneumatic float 122 is near being full of fully and not being fully upright, this flange 145 can prevent that supercritical fluid from flowing out this pneumatic float 122.
Though in these examples, do not show, shell 112 or cryogen memory device 210 can be provided with support, it comprises the base that is located on any suitable areal of support such as vessel deck or sea bed, with four oblique strut of stretching out from this base upper surface, these pillars at one end are fixed on the outside face of shell 112 or cryogen memory device 210, thereby this device 100 is bearing in vertical orientation.
In another example, shell 112 or cryogen memory device 210 are provided with such mechanism, and device 100 can be connected with suspension bracket by this mechanism.In the example shown in Figure 1A, this bindiny mechanism can be a plurality of parts around shell 112 or cryogen memory device 210 external heated coil pipes.Perhaps, a plurality of lugs can be set, shell 112 or cryogen memory device 210 can be rested in the suspension bracket.
In also having an example, shell is provided with some additional fixed mechanisms, so that the assisted cryogenic fluid tank is connected to the outside of this shell 112.This auxiliary tank uses in the time of can being used for a series of local declines and rising.Like this cryogen memory device 210 from then on auxiliary tank fill again, and need not to allow this device 100 return the sea again.
Figure 1A and Figure 1B show in detail buoyancy chamber 110.In example shown in Figure 1A, it has the firm housing made from Fibreglass Reinforced Plastics (GRP) 150.The internal capacity of housing 150 has central cylindrical portion 152 and domed ends 154,156.This internal capacity of this housing 150 is divided into first Room 162 and second Room 164 by dividing plate 160.This dividing plate 160 its peripheral region along the longitudinal axis of housing 150 and at the plane internal fixation that its internal capacity is divided equally on the inside face of this housing 150.
Shown in two examples in, one group of one-way cock 170 is provided, described valve can be opened to allow the fluids that are contained in the buoyancy chamber 110 flow out this device 100.These one-way cocks 170 have pressure release mechanism, by this pressure release mechanism, allow fluid to flow out this buoyancy chamber 110 during sea pressure predetermined threshold value around the pressure in the buoyancy chamber 110 surpasses (for example 1 crust).6 one-way cocks 170 have been shown among Figure 1A, and Figure 1B shows two one-way cocks on the top of bell pneumatic float 122.Yet the quantity of valve and size can change.Because the bottom of pneumatic float 122 is opened wide, so it must be in the orientation work shown in Figure 1B.So one-way cock 170 is arranged on the top of pneumatic float 122, so that in pneumatic float 122, can not make this install 100 instabilities during release fluids.
Fig. 2 A and Fig. 2 B show in detail cryogen memory device 210.This cryogen memory device 210 has inwall 212 that limits the housing 214 that is suitable for splendid attire cryogen 216 and the outer wall 218 that surrounds this inwall 212 fully.In two examples that illustrate, housing 214 has hemisphere portion 222 and tapering part 224.Hemisphere portion 222 is configured to consistent with the shape of shell 112.Therefore, if the end 116 of the shell 112 of contiguous cryogen memory device 210 is not a semisphere, then the shape of housing 214 will be inequality with the shape of example among the figure, so that make the shape of housing 214 consistent with the shape of the end of shell 112
The inwall 212 of cryogen memory device 210 can be used the austenic steel manufacturing, but also can be with some other material, for example 9% nickel steel or low temperature aluminium.Outer wall 218 can be made with GRP, but also can be with some other material, for example carbon composite.Outer wall 218 separates by air tight housing 226 and inwall.In manufacturing process, form vacuum in this cavity between the inside and outside wall 212,218, provide heat insulation as housing 214.
At the tip of tapering part 224, there are filling tube 230 and freeing pipe 232 to extend through the inner and outer wall 212,218 of cryogen memory device 210.
Filling tube 230 extends to position near the nadir of hemisphere portion 222 along the length of housing 214 basically.Freeing pipe 232 stops at the inside face place of outer wall.
Near the nadir of housing 214 hemisphere portion 222, inwall 212 comprises at least one hole 234.Cooling coil 236 also coils around the outside face of inwall 212 near the cooling coil that extends out this hole 234.The upper end of this cooling coil 236 comprises the pressure release valve, and when the pressure in the pressure ratio buoyancy chamber 110 in the cooling coil 236 exceeded about 100 millibars, this pressure release valve allowed fluid to flow in the buoyancy chamber 110 from this cooling coil 236.This cooling coil 236 mainly is made of metal.But, cooling coil 236 parts 238 of extending between cryogen memory device 210 and buoyancy chamber 110 are to be made by the plastics with low thermal conductivity.
Shown in Fig. 2 B, cryogen memory device 210 is enclosed in through in the spherical shell of strengthening 240.This housing 240 must be thick-wall, and can be processed to form by carbon composite.This housing 240 must be able to bear the difference of pressure of 1 crust to 203 crust, so that can work under 2000 meters the degree of depth.Except the wall of housing 240 is thicker, can also provide extra booster action in this enclosure interior or outer setting strengthening rib.Spherical shell 240 can be provided with fluid-tight pressure-proof elasticity inspection cover (not shown), so that can enter this spherical shell 240 inside when keeping in repair or be other purpose.
In addition, can provide additional pipe (not shown), cryogen recirculation is got back in the cryogen memory device 210, to occupy the space of liquid cryogen top.
In addition, spherical shell 240 can be provided with auxiliary fixed mechanism (not shown), and assisted cryogenic fluid tank (not shown) is fixed to housing 240.Can allow this device 100 carry out repeatedly local the lifting and in check decline and do not need to be raised to the additional cryogen in sea like this.With the exception of this, this assisted cryogenic fluid tank can be connected to cryogen memory device 210, and the cryogenic flow physical efficiency is flowed in the cryogen memory device 210 from this auxiliary tank, and cryogen can and be transformed into supercriticality and enter pneumatic float 122 through heating then.This structure can make used cryogen 216 surpass the maximum capacity of cryogen memory device 210.
Heating system mainly is presented among Fig. 3 A and the 3B, though some details is shown in Fig. 2 A and 2B.Heating system 302 comprises: heating pipe 310, heating chamber 336 and a pair of electrical heating elements 346 that stretch out in the hole 234 in housing 214 inwalls 212.Heating pipe 310 enters heating chamber 336.The path of heating pipe 310 is sinuate, and some passes shell 112 and around the outside face of this shell 112.The heating pipe 310 that is in the outside of shell 112 is reinforced, to bear this device 100 owing to the suffered pressure of under extreme conditions working.
For the heating pipe 310 of protection, provide the protective grille (not shown) in shell 112 outsides.Utilize grid can reduce heating pipe 310 because of with the object that is raised, or sea bed or the contact of any other dangerous article and the risk damaged.
This heating system 302 also is included in the heat baffle 330 between cryogen memory device 210 and the buoyancy chamber 110.In the example shown in Fig. 3 A, heat baffle 330 comprises the first 332 of contiguous buoyancy chamber and the second portion 334 of contiguous cryogen memory device 210.Two parts 332,334 of heat baffle 330 define annular heating chamber 336.Both are heat-insulating for heating chamber 336 and buoyancy chamber 110 and cryogen memory device 210.
The heat conductor 340 of a plurality of remote-controlled operations is fixed on the inside face of outer wall 218 around the hemisphere portion 222 of housing 214.Each heat conductor 340 comprises the copper bar 342 on the inside face of the outer wall 218 that is pivotably mounted on cryogen memory device 210.This copper bar 342 can pivot between its active position (extend on the surface that is basically perpendicular to outer wall 218 at the described bar in this position) and non-working position (being basically parallel to the surface of outer wall 124 at the described bar in this position).The length of copper bar 342 may be selected to and inwall 212 and outer wall 218 between the strict coupling of distance, making when each bar works provides to the heat conduction path of housing 214.In example shown in each accompanying drawing, the inner and outer wall of this housing is parallel basically, so the length of all each bars 342 is substantially the same.The number of the bar 342 shown in each figure is exemplary.This number can be about 30.If introduce shortage of heat in the cryogen memory devices 210, can increase by electro heat from electrical heating elements 346 so by heat conductor 340.Though provide a pair of electrical heating elements 346 in this example, the quantity of heater element and size can change according to the size of device 100 and/or the use field of planning.For example, just need be equipped with more heater element in the zone, polar region for device.
Fig. 4 A and Fig. 4 B demonstrate complete device, and as previously mentioned, it comprises buoyancy chamber 110, cryogen memory device 210, heating system 302 and control system 400.
Though in the example shown in Fig. 4 B, the width of pneumatic float 122 is substantially equal to the diameter of spherical shell 240, pneumatic float 122 can be wideer or narrow than spherical shell 240.
In another example that does not show, can pneumatic float 122 be connected to spherical shell 240 in the accompanying drawings with the universal contact substituting beam.
Because pneumatic float 122 and cryogen memory device 210 are not made into integration, heating pipe 310 terminates in the cryogen feeding pipeline 244, and this pipeline stretches out and enters in the pneumatic float 122 from spherical shell 240.This cryogen feeding pipeline 244 is equipped with one-way cock 245, enters heating pipe 310 to prevent seawater 300 from pneumatic float 122.
Being installed in microprocessors 402 in the shell 112 is used for putting in order the data that transmit from a plurality of sensors that are installed in the device 100 and this information is passed to remote control equipment (RCE).In addition, each device 100 has unique identifier, and this identifier is stored in this microprocessor 402, and sends by data link 404 together with position data.Like this can the two or more devices 100 of Collaborative Control, and promote too big or its shape thus and be not enough to the object that promotes with single assembly 100.Data can directly be sent to remote control equipment (RCE), perhaps directly share between each crew-served device 100.
This install within 100 outside faces or on diverse location some different sensors are installed.Sensor station 410,412,414,418,420 shown in this device only is exemplary.Each sensor also can be installed in other position, and sensors perhaps described below can be arranged on any one position shown in the accompanying drawing.Described sensor be configured to be used for the monitoring results condition and with message feedback to microprocessor 402.
Some sensor, for example sensor 410, can be temperature or pressure sensor.Some pressure sensors are provided, can utilize microprocessor 402 or remote control equipment (RCE) to calculate difference of pressure between the different piece of this device 100.In addition, this installs the pressure of 100 outsides and this and installs the 100 residing degree of depth very strong interrelation is arranged.
Some sensor, for example sensor 412, can be configured to be used for resource management is carried out in this device inside.In this example, sensor 412 can indicate cryogen memory device 210 also to stay how many cryogens.
The integraty that sensor such as sensor 414 guarantee each end instr of this device 100 can be set.Sensor 414 is installed near the microprocessor 402, and this microprocessor utilizes heat baffle 330 and these device 100 heat to isolate.This sensor 414 will be monitored microprocessor 402 residing conditions.
Except the position transduser of the position of means of identification 100 on the whole with provide outside the pressure sensor of depth information of this device, the orientation of this device 100 can be with yaw detector 418 monitorings.This yaw detector 418 provides the indication that this installs 100 stability, and differentiates the problem of working together and taking place when fetching out-of-shape or partly sinking to the object of sea bed when several means.Can utilize the information that obtains from yaw detector 418 whether to differentiate that the part of this object is freely and another part still is trapped in the sea bed.In case this information passed in the microprocessor 402 and be sent to ship on the sea through data link 404, then can indicate and be in the most close more supercritical fluid of device 100 generations that is absorbed in that part of object of sea bed, so that bigger positive buoyancy to be provided, thereby free by that part of object that falls into.
The difference of each example that example shown in Figure 8 and Fig. 1 are extremely shown in Figure 7 is: buoyancy chamber 110 is subdivided into several compartments 190, and each compartment comprises dividing plate 166.Each compartment 190 is provided with at least one one-way cock 170 and at least one hole 180.Provide a plurality of different compartments to bring certain redundancy to this device, because if a dividing plate has been broken, this installs endure, though the maximum weight that can be raised may descend to some extent.In addition,, perhaps to dispose several means simultaneously and promote an object jointly,, can allow some compartment load earlier than other compartment in order to optimize the performance of this device 100 if lifting is unbalanced load.
Though all show heat conductor 340 in institute's drawings attached, they are also nonessential for the operation of device 100, and cryogen memory device 210 can reach required transfer of heat by other measure simultaneously.
Fig. 9 shows the configuration of another kind with open pneumatic float 122.The pneumatic float 122 of the example among Fig. 9 is that with the different of pneumatic float 122 shown in Figure 1B to Fig. 7 B the pneumatic float 122 among Fig. 9 just partly opens wide.This pneumatic float 122 is longilineal in horizontal surface, rather than in vertical plane.In addition, cryogen memory device 210 is arranged in the pneumatic float 122.This structure allows to utilize fixed sturcture 130 that this device 100 is fixed on the object that will promote easily.In order to improve the stability of device 100, be provided with two hangers 140.
The method of operation of this device 100 is described now.
For allowing this device 100 prepare place in operation, housing 214 is full of cryogen 216.It can be liquid nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium or hydrogen.Fluid choose the degree of depth that depends on that this device will be worked.Nitrogen can use in the zone of about 1000 meters of the degree of depth.Helium and hydrogen can meet or exceed 1000 meters, even 2000 meters the degree of depth is used.
The process that makes this device 100 prepare place in operations or fill liquid is normally carried out when this flotation gear is in above the seagoing vessel etc.Cryogen 216 sources are introduced this device 100 by withstand voltage mouthful 350 and are connected with filling tube 230.Flow through filling tube 230 and enter housing 214 of this cryogen 216 in its bottom.Because these housing 214 inside are in higher temperature with respect to cryogen, some fluids will evaporate when contacting in the inside with filling tube 230 and housing 214, and the gas that is produced by the cryogen evaporation will leave housing 214 through freeing pipe 232 simultaneously.
This process lasts till that always housing 214 inside are under the enough low temperature, so that cryogen 216 is remained on liquid state.In case housing 214 is full of fully by liquid cryogen 216, this fluid source and filling tube 230 disconnect, and simultaneously withstand voltage mouthful 350,352 is closed.
Then this device 100 is rendered in the sea carefully, and dropped near the goods (not shown) place that will promote on the sea bed.
When this device 100 enters in the water at first, seawater 300 enters first Room 162 by some holes 180 shown in Fig. 4 A.In the example shown in Fig. 4 B, seawater 300 enters pneumatic float 122 by the opening of pneumatic float 122 base portions, shown in arrow among Fig. 4 B.Seawater 300 replaces the air in the buoyancy chamber 110 and allows dividing plate 160 that second Room 164 is reduced with respect to the size of first Room 162.Be full of by water in case first Room 162 occupies the whole volumes and first Room 162 of buoyancy chamber 110 substantially, this device 100 has negative lift on the whole and sinks towards sea bed.
If the negative lift of this device 100 is not enough to sink towards sea bed, can be added to the bottom of anchor fitting 130 or outer surface of outer cover to weight to help stable sinking.May be owing to there be air in device 100 or the bodily light owing to the density of cryogen 216 in the heating chamber 336.For example, the density that has of liquid nitrogen is about about 80% of water tightness.100 in goods sinking process, a small amount of cryogen 216 becomes evaporation into gas at this device.Because this installs 100 structural causes, be fluid in the cooling coil 236 rather than the cryogen 216 easier evaporations in the housing 214.This evaporation makes cooling coil 236 cooling and therefore helps to keep cry-fluid in the housing 214.The gas that forms in cooling coil 236 will move and enter second Room 164 of buoyancy chamber 110 in this cooling coil 236.For preventing that dividing plate 160 from allowing second Room 164 expand and replacement part seawater 300, can make one-way cock 170 remain on open mode.Perhaps, be evaporated in the sea, can make this one-way cock 170 keep closing for preventing cryogen.It is particularly useful when this rested on sea bed before this device 100 starts the lifting goods.
When flotation gear 100 arrived sea bed and goods to be hoisted, this goods was in a suitable manner connected to fixed mechanism 130.The action that flotation gear 100 links to each other with goods is generally finished by the robot (not shown) of being controlled on the sea by the user.
In case buoyancy chamber 110 has been full of enough overcritical cryogens 216, shown in Fig. 7 A and Fig. 7 B, this flotation gear 100 and goods will begin to rise.In the example shown in Fig. 7 A, in order to control the rising of this flotation gear and goods, can open one-way cock 170 to allow supercritical fluid flow out buoyancy chamber 110, seawater 300 enters first Room 162 simultaneously, thereby reduces buoyancy upwards.Along with flotation gear 100 and goods rise on the sea, the pressure of seawater will descend.Along with this device 100 rises, supercritical fluid 216 changes gas phase into, and flows out by one-way cock 170 or by the open area of pneumatic float 122 base portions 124.
Except utilizing this device 100 that goods is risen to the sea from sea bed, can also utilize this device 100 to provide buoyancy alleviating its effective weight, thereby make underwater operation become easier for object.For example, if device is connected to heavy 50 tons object, and abundant cryogen is switched to the effective weight that critical conditions reduces object and has only 5 tons, then easier manipulation object.
As mentioned above, can promote object big especially or that shape is difficult to handle with more than one device 100.The particularly important is in this case, one-way cock 170 can be opened as required, to produce the ccasual negative lift in the lifting process of the device 100 of working together in one or more whiles.Can control effectively like this from sea bed and promote or guide into the orientation of the object of sea bed.
When this installs 100 uppermost parts when arriving the water surface, goods will be stayed in the water more or less according to this structure of installing 100.Flotation gear 100 and goods are recovered from the position of the water surface or the close water surface, and flotation gear 100 is separated with goods.Fill cryogen 216 then can be again for this flotation gear 100 and reuse.
In another example that does not show, shell 112 can be essentially sphere or rule or fitfull polygon in the accompanying drawings.Rhombus and sphere are favourable, because they are made of curve shape separately, thereby can avoid the stress relevant with the edge with sharp-pointed corner angle.
Claims (14)
1. flotation gear comprises:
The buoyancy chamber;
The cryogen memory device;
Heating pipe, it can provide the fluid of available switch control to be communicated with between this cryogen memory device and this buoyancy chamber.
2. device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, this buoyancy chamber, this cryogen memory device and this heating pipe to small part are comprised in the shell.
3. device as claimed in claim 2, wherein, this shell is provided with rib at contiguous this cryogen memory device place.
4. as each described device in the claim 1 to 3, also comprise microprocessor and a plurality of sensor.
5. device as claimed in claim 4, wherein, this microprocessor comprises the identifier of the uniqueness of this device.
6. as each described device in the claim 1 to 5, wherein, described buoyancy chamber is subdivided into a plurality of compartments.
7. as each described device in the claim 1 to 6, wherein, each compartment of this buoyancy chamber or this buoyancy chamber is provided with at least one hole, passes in and out this buoyancy chamber to allow seawater.
8. as each described device in the claim 1 to 7, wherein each compartment of this buoyancy chamber or this buoyancy chamber is provided with at least one one-way cock and flows out this device to allow overcritical cryogen or gas.
9. as each described device in the claim 1 to 8, wherein this heating pipe passes this shell layout, makes at least a portion of this heating pipe be close to the outside face of this shell.
10. as each described device in the claim 1 to 9, wherein, this heating pipe can utilize valve to carry out switch control.
11. as each described device in the claim 1 to 9, also comprise a plurality of heat conductors, described heat conductor is configured to be used for heat is introduced this cryogen memory device.
12. the method from sea bed lifting object, the method may further comprise the steps:
Flotation gear is dropped to sea bed;
This flotation gear is connected with the object that will promote;
In the part of this flotation gear, produce supercritical fluid; And
Utilize the buoyancy of supercritical fluid to allow this flotation gear and object float, so that this object is promoted to the water surface to the water surface.
13. method as claimed in claim 12, wherein, this supercritical fluid is overcritical nitrogen.
14. as claim 12 or 13 described methods, wherein this flotation gear is according to each described flotation gear in the claim 1 to 11.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB0820333.3 | 2008-11-06 | ||
| GB0820333.3A GB2465170C (en) | 2008-11-06 | 2008-11-06 | A floatation device with a buoyancy chamber and cryogen reservoir |
| PCT/GB2009/051481 WO2010052493A1 (en) | 2008-11-06 | 2009-11-04 | Improvements in or relating to floatation devices |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CN102271994A true CN102271994A (en) | 2011-12-07 |
| CN102271994B CN102271994B (en) | 2014-07-30 |
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| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CN200980153693.5A Active CN102271994B (en) | 2008-11-06 | 2009-11-04 | Improvements in or relating to floatation devices |
Country Status (7)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP2358585B1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN102271994B (en) |
| BR (1) | BRPI0921272B1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK2358585T3 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2465170C (en) |
| MX (1) | MX2011004661A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2010052493A1 (en) |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US9797525B2 (en) | 2014-05-29 | 2017-10-24 | Ecosse Subsea Systems, Ltd. | Method of governing the elevation, attitude and structural integrity of a pressure-containing vessel in a body of liquid |
| CN104908905A (en) * | 2015-06-20 | 2015-09-16 | 广东安元矿业勘察设计有限公司 | Simple method for underwatersalvage |
Family Cites Families (10)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US4507093A (en) * | 1983-05-31 | 1985-03-26 | Norvell James H | Buoy device for automatic raising of submerged objects |
| CN1012352B (en) * | 1985-12-26 | 1991-04-17 | 哈尔滨船舶工程学院 | Fast cooling system of burning gas |
| WO2000029285A1 (en) * | 1998-11-16 | 2000-05-25 | Controlled Variable Buoyancy Systems Limited | A buoyancy device |
| FR2821054B1 (en) * | 2001-02-20 | 2003-07-25 | Alain Denes | SINK AND LIKE BOAT refloating system |
| GB0105830D0 (en) * | 2001-03-09 | 2001-04-25 | Controlled Variable Buoyancy S | A bouancy device |
| US6772705B2 (en) * | 2001-09-28 | 2004-08-10 | Kenneth J. Leonard | Variable buoyancy apparatus for controlling the movement of an object in water |
| CN2546327Y (en) * | 2002-05-27 | 2003-04-23 | 杨庆勇 | Fast salvaging apparatus for sunken vessels |
| NL1022235C2 (en) * | 2002-12-20 | 2004-06-22 | Jeroen Vincent Van Mil | Driving device and method for manufacturing thereof. |
| GB0604719D0 (en) * | 2006-03-09 | 2006-04-19 | Pritchard Philip A | A floatation device |
| US7500439B2 (en) * | 2006-06-15 | 2009-03-10 | Ythan Environmental Services Ltd. | Method and apparatus |
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2008
- 2008-11-06 GB GB0820333.3A patent/GB2465170C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
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2009
- 2009-11-04 EP EP09748462.0A patent/EP2358585B1/en active Active
- 2009-11-04 MX MX2011004661A patent/MX2011004661A/en active IP Right Grant
- 2009-11-04 BR BRPI0921272-8A patent/BRPI0921272B1/en active IP Right Grant
- 2009-11-04 WO PCT/GB2009/051481 patent/WO2010052493A1/en active Application Filing
- 2009-11-04 CN CN200980153693.5A patent/CN102271994B/en active Active
- 2009-11-04 DK DK09748462.0T patent/DK2358585T3/en active
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2010052493A1 (en) | 2010-05-14 |
| GB2465170B (en) | 2012-08-29 |
| DK2358585T3 (en) | 2017-01-02 |
| MX2011004661A (en) | 2011-09-21 |
| GB2465170A (en) | 2010-05-12 |
| GB2465170C (en) | 2017-04-26 |
| EP2358585B1 (en) | 2016-09-07 |
| GB0820333D0 (en) | 2008-12-17 |
| EP2358585A1 (en) | 2011-08-24 |
| CN102271994B (en) | 2014-07-30 |
| BRPI0921272B1 (en) | 2019-10-29 |
| BRPI0921272A2 (en) | 2016-02-23 |
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